Introduction
Annual cricket match between Australia and a visiting international team
For other uses, see Boxing Day Test (disambiguation). Boxing Day TestThe Melbourne Cricket Ground during the first day of the 2015 Boxing Day Test matchStatusActiveGenreSporting eventBegins26 DecemberEndsOn or before 30 DecemberFrequencyAnnualVenueMelbourne Cricket GroundLocationsMelbourne, VictoriaCountryAustraliaInaugurated1968 (1968) The Boxing Day Test match is a cricket Test match held in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, involving the Australia national cricket team and an opposing national team that is touring Australia during the southern summer. It begins annually on Boxing Day (26 December) and is played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
History
[edit] Cricket crowd at the Boxing Day Test in 2007 By long tradition, a Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and New South Wales had been played at the MCG over the Christmas period dating back as far as 1865. It included Boxing Day as one of the scheduled days of play, much to the chagrin of the NSW players who missed spending Christmas with their families as a result. The Melbourne Test was usually held over the New Year period, often starting on 1 January. During the 1950–51 Ashes series, the Melbourne Test was played from 22 to 27 December, with the fourth day's play being on Boxing Day, but no Test matches were played on Boxing Day in Melbourne between 1953 and 1967. Because there were six Tests in the 1974–75 Ashes series, in order to fit them all in to the overall schedule, the Third Test at Melbourne was scheduled to start on Boxing Day. That was the origin of the modern tradition, although it was not until 1980 that it was formalised by the Australian Cricket Board, alongside the recent acquisition of its television rights by the Nine Network, and Melbourne emphasising its hosting of major sporting events (such as the AFL Grand Final and Australian Open) to offset the decline of its manufacturing industry. The Boxing Day Test has cultural significance and often draws large crowds, although increased competition from Twenty20 fixtures in the Big Bash League has led to variance in attendance; the MCG hosted its largest Boxing Day crowd in 2025, the fourth Test of the 2025–26 Ashes series against England.
Individual awards[edit] Since 1975, there has been an official Player of the Match named in each Boxing Day Test. Since 2020, the man of the match has received the Mullagh Medal, named in honour of Indigenous Australian cricketer Johnny Mullagh.
A panorama of the MCG for day one of the 2024 Boxing Day Test.
List of Boxing Day Test matches
[edit]
Year
Opposition team
Result
Boxing Day Crowd
Total Attendance
Player of the Match: Mullagh Medal
1968
 West Indies
 Australia won by an innings and 30 runs
18,766
113,376
1974
 England
Draw
77,167
250,750
1975
 West Indies
 Australia won by 8 wickets
85,661
222,755
Jeff Thomson
1980
 New Zealand
Draw
28,671
82,745
Richard Hadlee
1981
 West Indies
 Australia won by 58 runs
39,982
Overall Record — Australia vs Visitors
[edit] Beer cup snake during the 2021 Boxing Day Test
Opposition Team
GP
W
D
L
Win %
Recent Test
 England
12
5
2
5
041.67
Boxing Day 2025
 India
10
2
2
6
020.00
Boxing Day 2024
 New Zealand
3
0
2
1
000.00
Boxing Day 2019
 Pakistan
5
0
1
4
000.00
Why the Boxing Day Test is a December staple
Boxing Day marks the first day many Brits and Kiwis are off work, making it the perfect slot for a long-form sport that can stretch over five days. Cricket’s leisurely pace fits the holiday mood, offering families a chance to gather around the TV or radio while the festive leftovers are being cleared. The tradition also taps into the wider summer calendar Down Under, where December is synonymous with beach trips and barbecues; the match becomes a communal backdrop, much like the footy grand finals in June. Over the decades it has woven itself into the seasonal rhythm, so much so that a quiet Boxing Day is now almost unthinkable without a few overs of the game in the background.
How to make the most of the broadcast at home
Set up a dedicated viewing area with a comfortable chair, a warm throw and a kettle on standby – the match can run into the early hours. Keep a stash of simple snacks – sausage rolls, sausage sizzle, or a classic meat pie – that can be quickly reheated without missing any action. If you have a smart TV, enable the multi‑camera view to switch between the MCG’s panoramic shots and close‑ups of the bowlers’ run‑ups. For those keen on the stats, a second screen with a live scoreboard helps track wickets and runs without losing the drama. Finally, invite a few friends over for a “cricket-and-Christmas” potluck; the game’s natural breaks are perfect for topping up drinks and sharing stories.
Common misconceptions about the Boxing Day Test
Many assume the match is merely a glorified tourist attraction, but it carries genuine sporting weight. Teams often use the Boxing Day Test to cement their place in the summer series, and a strong performance can swing the Ashes or other tours decisively. Another myth is that the game is all about Australia’s dominance; in recent years visiting sides have thrilled crowds with surprise centuries and ten‑wicket hauls, proving the contest is far from one‑sided. Finally, some think the event is solely for die‑hard cricket fans – in reality, the festive atmosphere, live music, and fan zones turn it into a family‑friendly outing, drawing even casual viewers into the sport’s charm.